Dyslexia, learning difficulty, disability

[469er]

I'm conducting some half-assed idle research into a topic of personal interest (primarily because I'm stuck in the library and really should be conducting some full-on double-cheeked research into something completely different).

Anyway, I'm kinda curious about how many mature entrants to medicine have had some kind of undiagnosed or unaddressed disability or learning difficulty which may have hindered their educational past and contributed to their doing medicine later rather than earlier. I suppose the obvious example would be dyslexia, but other things might include sight or hearing problems which left you at the back of the classroom wondering what was going on. When I look around at my fellow mature medics, it seems that there's a higher rate of such problems than might be expected in a random sample of the population.

If it seems like this is a common theme among mature medics (and medics-to-be), I might be tempted to turn this into some kind of more serious research, maybe as an SSC or something, so I'd be really interested to hear anyone's story...

[Martigan]

I'm dyslexic. It's directly connected with my reasons for not following my heart to medicine the first time round.

[mhc123]

Heya,

I was diagnosed with mild dyslexia and moderate dyspraxia in my first year at university, having turned down "The Test" at sixth form, not realising that it affected anything other than spelling, which has never been a problem for me. (In honesty, I'm still a bit confused about the dyslexia diagnosis, but the dyspraxia one is accurate).

With hindsight, I wonder if the bit of extra time in exams I'm now eligible for would have made the difference and helped me meet my offer the first time round. No point dwelling on it though - I've had a great time at my current university and it's strange to imagine that I might not have been here at all.

I'm now in my final year and have applied again. So far I've had one offer, still waiting on the other three. Now, to get that 2.1!

I'm really interested to hear if anything comes of this potential study, let me know if there's any other information I can give you :-)

[rosie85]

mhc, do you mind me asking where you applied? i've also got dyspraxia and looking to apply for sept 2011. i'm quite concerned that they'll be dismissive because of it as i haven't heard of anyone else with dyspraxia getting in - well done!! I didn't apply before as thought i wouldn't even be considered but that's given me a little hope!! Rosie

[Goldenhawkw]

I've got dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalcula but it wasn't diagnosed until I did my masters here in the UK. It certainly played a part in why I didn't go for medicine straight out of high school, but was only one of several factors.

[Polldoll]

Im dyslexic and was diagnosed during my first degree. It definately was a major factor in me not applying from school cause I thought I was stupid then. I did succesfully get a place for medicine in 2008, but never went. Was then unsuccesful for 2010 and for this I blame my dyslexia and the UKCAT. Im still hopeful that maybe some point in the future I can get in again!
Px

[469er]

Thanks for replying, everyone! I wasn't sure if I was on to a bit of a hiding to nothing with this, but I'm encouraged by how many people think it may be worth pursuing. I've been talking to people at my uni about it too, and can see that one of the difficulties with getting any accurate statistics is going to be that so many matures aren't registered with SEN/learner support. I guess many of them have been coping with their various strategies for so long that they maybe don't see the point, don't think there is anything much extra that could be done, or perhaps because of negative experiences back in the dark ages feel stigmatised. I have even been told by someone that they don't want anyone thinking they need 'cripple time'(!). I wonder if medics in particular (as opposed to mature students in other subject areas) are worried about the spectre of fitness to practise issues if they declare their dyslexia. I think many people remain undiagnosed also, perhaps feeling that they're having difficulty because they, say, came late to sciences and are playing catch-up. Anyway, really grateful to all who have taken the time to reply, and still interested to hear from anyone else on this topic. Hope you won't mind if I PM you at a later date if anything comes of the project...

[469er]

P.S. Polldoll, so sorry to hear that things haven't worked out for you this year. Fingers crossed that Glasgow will reconsider/put you on a reserve list, etc...

[mhc123]

mhc, do you mind me asking where you applied? i've also got dyspraxia and looking to apply for sept 2011. i'm quite concerned that they'll be dismissive because of it as i haven't heard of anyone else with dyspraxia getting in - well done!! I didn't apply before as thought i wouldn't even be considered but that's given me a little hope!! Rosie

Hi Rosie,

Sorry for taking so long to reply, my obsession with NMM has faded a bit lately (can only really be a good thing!). I applied to King's, Soton, Newcastle and Warwick, since I last posted I've been rejected from Soton and Newcastle, just waiting to hear the outcome of my Warwick interview. Also, I applied for the 4 year course at King's but ended up with a 5 year offer. Might, or might not be, worth telling you that both King's and Warwick asked for a copy of my dyslexia/dyspraxia assessment. I don't know whether that's had any effect on anything. Best of luck with your application!

[rosie85]

thanks ever so much for that mhc, i've got a re-assessment on tues actually as fingured they need a report.

do you think that you have to dclare dyspraxia? my other thought was not to bother, but didn't know if this would be a serious issue?